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THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA
and specific information that peculiarly fits him for
the great task he has undertaken.
The Bulletin hopes Georgia Catholics will do their
part in encouraging The Tribune, which should be
the forerunner of a great chain of dailies that will
prove a right arm to the Church in this country.
THE ANNUAL MEETING.
The convention of the Catholic Laymen’s Associa
tion of Georgia will be held this year in Savannah, the
date chosen by the executive committee being Sep
tember 26th. It is hoped and believed that it will be
the biggest gathering of Catholics Georgia has ever
seen. The wonderful success of the organization, be
gun under great difficulty here in Georgia, its rapid
spread to other States until its prestige and scope
is nation-wide, added to Savannah’s deserved repu
tation for entertainment and hospitality, almost insure
record attendance.
Last year some were heard to express regrets say
ing that if they had known they were entitled to a
place in the convention they would have been glad
to go. In order that there may be no doubt this
year, it is plainly stated here that every Catholic
in Georgia will be welcomed at the meeting. The en
tire session is open to all.
Each parish in the diocese is entitled to two dele
gates, to be named by the pastor.
Each mission is entitled to one delegate from each
mission town, to be named by the pastor.
Each society, and that means all local and parish
organizations, male or female, whether a branch of
a national order, or merely a sodality, altar, or aid
society, women’s club (in fact, all Catholic organiza
tions, associations and societies in Georgia) are en
titled to one delegate, to be chosen as each organiza
tion prefers.
Each State organization, such as the K. of C.,
A. O. H., and the like, is entitled to one delegate.
Mr. W. J. Ryan, whose address is care Vulcan Fuel
Company, Savannah, has been named chairman of
the credentials committee by President Rice. Mr.
Ryan will not only be glad to get in advance the
names of each accredited delegate, but will be glad
to furnish information to any Catholic regarding the
details of the convention, hotel rates, accommodation,
or the like.
The Bulletin editors join the officials in urging every
Catholic who can possibly do so to attend the conven
tion on September 26th.
THE SHAME OF IT.
Below is given a letter that should give pause to
each of us laymen. The writer is friendly to Cath
olics. She shows plainly that there is no bigotry in
her heart. And she says that the cause of misunder
standing of Catholicity is due to the answers given
to Cathol ics to questions asked by those outside the
Church. In other words, she arraigns the ignorance
of laymen. And those of us who think of the matter
even for a few minutes know there is much truth in
what she says. Almost every day the publicity de
partment gets letters saying in effect that the answers
we give are in contradiction to those given the re
spective writers by individual Catholics. We know
we have given the correct information; have made
sure it was correct before it was given. But, because
some Catholic acquaintance rather than confess he or
she did not know the answer to the question asked
has given false information, the work we strive to do
is harmed and delayed.
Isn’t is a shame that Catholics should so frequently
be ignorant of the teachings of their Church? How
easy it is to keep a little catechism at hand and
every now and then read it over to brush up on in
formation that may be growing hazy in our minds.
But let the letter speak for itself. Here it is:
Atlanta, Ga., July 2, 1920.
Gentlemen:
The pamphlets you sent me June 19th were duly
received.
I had read all except “Catholics and Marriage.” 1
appreciate you wishing to send me a copy of “The
Faith of Our Fathers,” by Cardinal Gibbons, but I
already have the book.
Laying the prejudiced people aside who read un
kind criticisms of Catholics, the majority of misun
derstandings are started by your faith.
I, myself, have asked Catholics different points
about their religion and if I did not understand the
subject, the answer given me would force me to take
an entirely different view than is taught.
The main trouble is, I am sorry to say, the most
of the congregation does not understand the religion
well enough to give it a fair explanation.
I have met the priests of the Sacred Heart Parish
on numbers of occasions, and they are at all times
pleasant and agreeable acquaintances.
The pamphlets give a clear explanation of the sub
jects.
I thank you for your prompt attention to my re
quest. Yours truly,
A PROTESTANT FRIEND.
CLEAN PLAYS; HOW TO KNOW THEM.
Every now and then we hear some good Catholic
father or mother expressing chagrin at having gone
to see some play at the theater that proved indecent.
And really it is not always possible for the average
theater-goer whose knowledge of stage successes is
gleaned only from the daily press to know just which
plays are fit to be seen by clean-minded folks. Many
a one that is actually indecent is so heralded that it
would seem to be model.
But now no Catholic in this section of the country
where plays appear only at some interval after their
presentation in the metropolis, can have excuse for
going to improper or unclean plays. The Bulletin of
the Catholic Theater Movement, published at 120
West 60th Street, New York City, gives a white list
as well as brief write-ups of the other kind and at
least every parent should keep in touch with this